Ombudsman Program
The DoDEA Ombudsman Program was established in 2019 as an informal, independent, confidential and impartial means of communicating and facilitating the resolution of individual, group, and system-level concerns without fear of retaliation. The Ombudsman, or Ombuds, will listen to an individual or group’s issues, explore options, and weigh the pros and cons of various options for resolution.
Who We Serve
The Ombudsman Program serves student-connected stakeholders of DoDEA (e.g. employees, students, trainees, contractor workforce, etc.). An individual may choose to use the Ombudsman Office if:
- They do not know what formal resources are available to them and need help navigating next steps
- They have already been to the formal resources and do not feel like the process was fair
- Feel that the formal resource is too close to the situation to be impartial
- Want to raise an issue and not be identified as the source of the information
The Ombudsman will:
- Listen with an open mind
- Help clarify an issue
- Work with you to identify options for resolution and the pros and cons of each
- Coach you to effectively communicate your own concerns
- Facilitate discussion between individuals
- Refer to formal resource if appropriate
- Escalate concerns only with your specific permission
- Share general demographic and issue trends with management
- Act as a change agent
The Ombudsman will not:
- Serve as formal notice to the Agency
- Replace or supersede formal resources or policy
- Conduct formal investigation
- Serve as an advocate for any individual
- Make binding decisions
- Break confidentiality unless there is an imminent risk of serious harm to an individual, damage to property or a crime
- Keep records
